Scientists at the University of Glasgow have been awarded £38,000 by Leukaemia Research Fund to get to the heart of the problem which can cause leukaemia.

Normal cells undergo a very regulated life span and then die by committing suicide. The way they grow and divide is controlled by telomeres, small fragments of DNA at chromosome ends which shorten every time the cell divides.

Telomeres produce a tell-tale protein called telomerase which researchers know can promote immortality within cells. Dr Mark Drummond, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow's Division of Cancer Science and Molecular Pathology, explained, 'We know that normal cells can only undergo a certain number of divisions before they stop. Some cancer cells have high levels of telomerase: suggesting abnormal telomere activity; and respond very poorly to treatment.'

Dr Drummond and his team based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary plan to measure levels of telomerase activity in samples from people with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the commonest acute leukaemia in adults. This can be done rapidly and efficiently using a machine called a light-cycler.

The team will be looking at several hundred samples of blood taken from patients with AML. Dr Drummond said, "By studying large numbers of samples, we will be able to identify patients who will are not likely to benefit from current treatments and do something about it."

Dr David Grant, Scientific Director, added, 'This type of research from the University of Glasgow is just one of the ways we are trying to beat leukaemia. By using the latest technology and recognising patient outcomes, scientists can seek to improve treatments and improve the quality of life for these patients.'

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Leukaemia Research Fund is the only national charity devoted exclusively to improving treatments, finding cures and learning how to prevent leukaemia, Hodgkin?s disease and other lymphomas, myeloma and the related blood disorders, diagnosed in 24,500 people in Britain every year.

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Further information

The cell cycle begins and ends with mitosis ? the so-called regulation of the mitotic clock. This research is to find out whether high levels of the enzyme telomerase can predict whether patients will do badly in treatment or not. The patient?s medical history would also be taken into account. Scientists have already seen the activity of telomerase occur in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

First published: 14 April 2003